Blood pressure taking device



Jan. 6, 1953 c. EPSTEIN 2,624,334

BLOOD PRESSURE TAKING DEVICE Filed Sept. 11, 1951 3 Sheets Shee; l

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CHARLES EPSIEIN Mmmsy Jan. 6, 1953 c. EPSTEIN I 2,624,334

' BLOOD PRESSURE TAKING DEVICE Filed Sept. 11, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 CHARLES EPsTEm BY Q g Arm/711 5) Jan. 6, 1953 c. EPSTEIN 2,624,334

BLOOD PRESSURE TAKING DEVICE Filed Sept. 11, 1951' I5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Ff 1Z7.

' IN VEN TOR. CHARLES EPSTElN Patented Jan. 6, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BLOOD PRESSURE TAKING DEVICE Charles Epstein, New York, N. Y.

Application September 11, 1951, Serial No. 246,035

Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a device for taking blood pressures.

More specifically, the present invention proposes the construction of a device which makes it easier and faster to take the blood pressures of one or more individuals with considerably less physical effort on the part of the person making the blood pressure determinations.

Still further, the present invention proposes the construction of a blood pressure taking device employing one or more conventional manometers having the usual measuring tubes connected by tubes with pressure bags mounted within armlets for engagement about the patients arms and which pressure bags are connected to a manually controllable source of air under pressure for feeding compressed air into the pressure bags in a manner to raise the pressure within the bags thus reducing the physical effort required on the part of the person making the blood pressure determinations by eliminating the need for manually pumping the air into the pressure bag.

Another object of the present invention proposes retaining the usual manually compressible bulb as a part of the manometer in a manner to be used for making fine adjustments of the air pressure within the pressure bag after the pressure within the bag has been brought to the desired maximum by the compressed air from the source of air under pressure.

The present invention further proposes the use of a novel valve unit having a manually controllable valve for first connecting the pressure bag of the armlet to the source of air under pressure for the initial raising ofthe pressure within the pressure bag after which the pressure bag can be connected to the manually compressible bulb for final adjustment of the pressure within the pressure has.

As a further object, the present invention proposes constructing the valve unit to include a manually operable relief valve for bleeding the pressure in the pressure bag downward until the first sound is detected as one listens with a stethoscope over the brachial artery with bleed ing of air continued until the pulse beats disappear or lose intensity at the diastolic level of blood pressure.

Still further, the present invention proposes leading the air under pressure on its way from the source to the pressure bag of the armlet through a manually adjustable air pressure regulator valve which is adjusted in a manner to shut ofi the compressed air when the pressure within the pressure. bag reaches a point beyond which the average patient would be made too uncomfortable by the pressure around his arm.

A still further object of the present invention proposes providing a gauge for recording the pressure of the compressed air from the source and a gauge for recording the pressure for which the air pressure regulator valve has been set in a manner to permit that valve to be set to operate to shut off the source of compressed air at the desired pressure in terms of millimeters of mercurythe measurement commonly used in blood pressure determinations.

It is a further object of the present invention to construct a device for taking blood pressures which is simple and durable, which is simple to operate, which is effective for its intended purposes, and which can be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

On the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a view of the blood pressure taking device constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional View of the valve unit taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a partial longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the control box with the top cover pivoted to its open position and broken away.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the control box taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5, but with the top cover in its closed position.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged transverse sectional view of one of the air regulator valves taken on the line 'll of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is an elevational view looking into the inner part of the air regulator valve.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged partial sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the valve lever used in the air regulator valve.

The device for taking blood pressures, according to the present invention, is constructed to operate two manometers I5 similar to the single one shown in Fig. 1, as will become clear as this specification proceeds. The manometer I5 is essentially of conventional construction and has a box It having an open top arranged to be closed by a pivotally mounted cover I1. Mounted on the inner face of the cover I! there is a plate l8 provided with a scale l9 calibrated in millimeters of mercury-the measurement commonly used in blood pressure determinations. Mounted on the plate It in proper alignment with the scale I9, there is a measuring tube connected at its bottom end with a container 2| also mounted on the inner face of the cover IT. The container 2| is provided for containing the mercury, not shown, which is to be forced upward within the measuring tube 20 by air under pressure for recording the blood pressure as generally known in the art to which the present invention pertains.

Extendin from the container 2|, there is a flexible, non-expandable tube 22 which is connected at its other endwith the usual pressure bag23 mounted within a cloth armlet 24 which is to be wrapped about the patients arm just above the el ow, on the drawing, the armlet 24 'is illustrated as being the type having a narrow end portion 24 to be tucked in between the turns of the armlet for holding it securely wrapped about the patients arm. Extending from the pressure bag 23, there is a second flexible, nonexpandable tube 215 through which air under pressure is to be 'fed into the pressure bag for blowing up the same after the armlet '24 has been engaged in positi'o'nabout'the patients arm. As known inthe art, as the pressure increases within the pressure bag 23 it will fiow'out through the tube 22 and cause the mercury to rise within the measuring tube 20.

The manometer 15 shown on the drawings is known as they mercury or fluid-displacement type, but it is appreciated that the device could also be used with the aneroid type of manometer which is calibrated to record jblood 'pressures in terms of millimeters :of mercury. Further co nstructional details of the manometer will not be given in this specification as they are generally known in the art andiar'e'disc1osed inUSS. Patent No. 1,594,039 granted'to William AJBaum on July 2 7 i926.

The particulartype oi manometer 1 5 shown on the drawing is by way of illustration only 'as any other type can be u'sed'in connection with the development of the-present invention.

Mounted on the re end -of the pressure inlet tube 25, there is avalve mar a. The valve unit 26 is' provided for connecting the pressure bag 23 of the armlet 24 with a source of air under presl sure or with the usual manuan compressible bulb 2 1 which can be used for inflating the pressure bag. The bulb is mounted on the valve unit at the end'remote from the end to which the inlet tube 25 is connected.

constructional details of the valve unit 23 are shown in Figs z to land itincludes two separate valve bodies 28 and 29. The valve body 28 is tormedwith an extension 28 which is disposed in endalignment witha similar extension 23 of the valve body29, The extensions 29 and 29 are externally threaded and joined together by an internally threaded tube 33, see Figs. 2 and 3. Extending from the valve housing 23 on theside opposite theiextension 231, there is a nipple 31 over which the end of the inlet tube 25 is fitted.. Extending ffromthe side of the valve housing '28, at right angles to the extension 28 "and the nipple 3|, there is 'a second nipple 32 liver which the end of a flexible, non-expanding 4 tube 33 is engaged and which leads from a source of air under pressure.

Extended through the valve body 28 at right angles to the extension 28* and the nipples 3i and 32, there is a tapered bore 34 within which a tapered valve member 35 is turnably mounted. The extension 28 is formed with a coaxial passageway 33 which communicates at its inner end with the tapered bore 34. The nipple 3| is formed with a coaxial passageway 37 arranged in end alignment with the passageway 35 and which also communicates at its inner end with the taperedbore 34. The nipple 32 is formed with a concentric passageway 38 arranged with its axis on the same level as the axes of the passageways -33 and 31. The inner end of the passageway 38 communicates with the bore 34.

The valve member 35 is extended nearly completely through the bore 34 from the wider top end thereof. Projected into the bore 34 from the narrow end thereof, there is a'plug 39 formed at its outer end with a flange 49 which seats against the adjacent face offth'e valve'b'ody 25. The inner end of the plug 39 has a transverse rib 4] which engages a complementary transverse groove 42 in thead j'acen't end of the valve member '35. The inter-engaged H and groove 42 connect the valvernember 35 and the plug 39 for unitary tamin movements. A screw 42', see Figs.'-2 and 4, is passed through the plug 39 and threaded into -the end ef the valve member Whenfthe screw 42 istightened in position, it draws the valve member "35 into the tapered bore -34 tose'aI the contacting surfaces of the valve member 'andthe walls of the valve body 28 defining the'tapere'd bore 34 against the loss 01 air pressure. However, thescrew42 is not tightened so tight'as to impede rotation of the valve member '35..

Within the bore 34, the valve member 35 is formed with a passageway 43 extended diametrically therethrough and 'a radially extended passagew-ay 44 extending from one side of the passageway 43. Thus, the passageway-s 43 and '44 are arranged to be T--'shaped as best shown in Fig. 3. 'To facilitate rotation o'fthe valve member 35, it has at its wide'end anjenla'rged head 45 which extends from the'bore 34 and which is formed with a radially extended handle 46 by which the valve member 35 can be conveniently turned. The top surface or the head 45 is flat and formed with 'a T-shaped marker '41, best shown in Fig. "1, which is aligned with the T- shape formed by the passageways 43 and 44 so that the operator'can know the exact location of the passageways 43 and 44 by looking at the T- shaped marker.

In one turned position of the valve member 35, that shown in Figs. 2 to 4, one end of the passageway '43 of the valve member is aligned with the inner end or the passagewayea and the end or the passageway is 'ali'gned'with the inner end of the" passageway 37. Inthat position of the valve'member 35, thehandle 4'6 extended radially from the' head "45 "on the side of the valve one hand, the valve member 35 can be "given a quarter turn in a counterclockwise direction'as viewed in Fig 3, by thumb or index finger pressure against the end of the handle. The handle :46 willnow be extended rearward toward the bulb 21 and the ends of the passageway 43 of the valve member will be aligned with the ends of the passageways 36 and 31. In that position of the passageway 43, the bulb 21 can be used for forcing additional air into the pressure bag 23 or the air can be bled from the pressure bag as will become clear as the description proceeds.

The positions of the passageways 43 and 44 with relation to the passageways 35, 31 and 38 can be quickly determined by noting the position of the T-shaped marker 41 on the head 45 of the valve member 35. The head 45 and the valve body 28 can, if desired, be provided with stops for limiting the rotation of the valve member 35 to the two positions referred to supra.

The other valve body 29 of the valve unit 26 at its end opposite the tubular extension 29 is formed with another externally threaded tubular extension 43. Secured by vulcanization in one side of the bulb 21, there is an internally threaded tubular bushing 49 which is threaded onto the tubular extension 48 making the bulb 21 an integral part of the valve unit 2 6.

Extended completely through the valve body 29 from the end of the extension 29 to the end of the extension 48, there is a passageway 53. The end portion 59 of the passageway 50 extended in from the end of the extension 29 is enlarged forming a shoulder 5| within the valve body 29 intermediate of its ends. Traversing the passageway 59 beyond the inner endof the enlarged portion 59 thereof, the valve body 25 is formed with a bore 52 which continues at its inner end into a reduced air entrance port 53 arranged concentric with the bore 52 forming a shoulder 55. The end of the bore 52 remote from the air entrance port 53 is closed by a bolt-like member 55 which is threaded into the open end of the bore 52. The inner face of the bolt-like member 55 continues into a tubular extension 56 formed on diametrically opposite sides with holes 51 aligned with the passageway 55. Positioned between the inner end of the tubular extension 55 and the shoulder 54, there is a valve disc 58 of rubber or the like material. The'spacing of the end of the extension 55 from the shoulder is slightly greater than the thickness of the valve disc 58 so that the valve disc will have freedom of movement in the space between the end of the extension and the shoulder.

The valve disc 58 is provided to permit filling of the bulb 21 with air when it expands after having been collapsed as will be explained.

The open end of the enlarged end portion 55 of the passageway 50 is threaded and has a tubular plug 59 threaded thereinto, see Fig. 2. Positioned within the enlarged endp-ortion 50 there is an expansion coil spring '50 which has its outermost coil bearing against the inner face of the tubular plug 59. The innermost coil of the spring '63 is wound about an enlargement on a cupshaped retainer member 5!. The retainer member 5| has its open side facing the shoulder 5| and has a valve disc 62 mounted therein. The coil spring 55 functions to urge the retainer member 5! into a position in which the valve disc 62 will be seated against the shoulder 5i preventing the back flow of air into the bulb 21 The action of the valve discs 58 and 62 in controlling the flow of air to and from the bulb 21 when the bulb is being used for adjusting the pressure within the pressure bag 23 of the armlet 25 is as follows: It is appreciated, of course, that to permit the use of the bulb 21 for that purpose it is essential that the valve member 35 be turned to a position in which its passageway 43 is aligned with the passageways 36 and 31the position in which the handle 46- is extended back toward the bulb 21. Upon compression of the bulb 21, the contained air will be forced out into the passageway 50. Some of that air will enter the extension 55 through the holes 51 and unseat the valve disc 58 from the end of the extension and force it against the shoulder 54. The valve disc 58 will then block the air entrance port 53 preventing the air from discharging through that entrance port. The air will then continue through the passageway 55 and unseat the valve disc 62 from the.

shoulder 5| against the action of the coil spring 50 so that the air will enter the enlarged portion 5i! of the passageway and pass out of that enlarged portion throughthe tubular plug 59 and continue on into the pressure bag 23. When the bulb 21 is released to expand, the spring 60 will immediately reseat the valve disc 62 on the shoulder 51 blocking the passageway 50 against the back flow of air from the pressure bag 23 into the bulb 21. That will cause a partial vacuum to be created within the bulb so that the pressure of the outside air bearing against the valve disc 58 will unseat that disc from the shoulder 54 returning it to its position on the end of the extension 56. Outside air then passes through the air entrance port 53, thebore 52v and the passageway 50 rearward of the valve disc 52 and into the bulb 21. The bulb 21 will then expand completely sucking in outside air and will be ready for another compression.

The valve body 29, between the shoulder 5| and the connecting tube 30, is formed with a relief valve through which a part or all of the air can be bled when the valve member 35 is turned to its position having its passageway 43 aligned with the passageways 36 and 31. That relief valve is characterized by a threaded hole 53 formed in the valve body 29 and into which a tubular member 64 is threaded. The tubular member 64 has a portion extended from the valve body 29 and which is formed at its outer end with an outwardly directed flange 55. Between the valve body 29 and the flange 65, the tubular member 54 is formed with a relief port 58 in one side thereof A valve pin 61 is threaded into the outer end of the tubular member 54 and is formed with a hollow cap portion 68 which fits over the flange 65. The valve pin 61 is of a length to block the relief port 66 when turned completely into the tubular member 64-a position in which the inner face of the hollow cap portion 69 abuts the flange 65, see Fig. 2. -When the valve pin 51 is turned outward, by rotation of the cap portion 68, the inner end of the valve pin will move free of the relief port 66 so that air from the pressure bag 23 can pass out through that port 55. One side of the cap portion 58 is formed with a small inwardly directed extension 69 for abutting the flange preventing the valve pin 61 from being turned completely out of the tubular member 64 thus retaining it against possible loss.

A control unit 10 is provided for controlling the flow of air from the source through the tube 33 and into the pressure bag 23 of the armlet 24. The control unit 10 is constructed to include a box 1| having a front wall 12 and an open top. The ope'ntop of the box 1| is closed by a cover 13 which is pivotally supported along its rear edge on the box 1| by several hinges 14, see Fig. 5.; Extended fromthe rear of' the 7. box 1|, there isa length of pipe over which one end of a-length of flexible, non-expanding hose "I6 is engaged, see. Fig. 5. The other end of the hose Isis connected to a source of air under pressure, not shown on the drawing. Within the box 1 l; the pipe 15 is provided with a filter 17 of any desired design for removing impurities and moisture from the'air under pressure. The irmer end of the pipe 15 is connected by a union '18 to the rear of a pressure sensitive gauge 19 mormted through the front wall 12 of the box. The gauge 19 will function to record the source pressure in termsof pounds of air pressure.

Extending from .opposite sides of :the pipe 15, between the filter TI and the gauge .19; there are branch pipes 88 which areconnected at their free ends by unions 8| :to air regulator valves 82 also mounted through the front wall 12 of the box ll .of the control unit '10. The air regulator valves. are provided-for delivering air at apredetermined pressure fromthesource to the pressure bag 23 of'the armlet :to inflate the. same to the desired pressure in terms of millimeters of mercury and to then automatically shut ofi the air from the source of air under pressure should the manometer reading rise to the level set at the respective regulator valve 82. The operative parts of the air regulator valve 82 are shown in Figs. 7 to 10. The valves 82 are alike in construction and each consists of a pair of opposed hollow casing sections 83 and 84 which are secured together by removable screws 85. A flexible diaphragm '86 is clampedbetween the casing sections 83 and '84 and carries a concentric stud 81 which bears against .a valve lever 88. The valve lever-88 is contained within the casing section 84 and :pivotally retained in position by a pair of spaced pivot pins 89 which are seated-in spaced complementary recesses 90, formed in the adjacent-wall of the casing section 84, see particularly Figs. 7 to 9. The pivot pins 89 permit the-valve lever v88 to have a slight rocking motion. Extending :from the rear ofthe casing section, there is a tubular extension 9| into which a nipple 92 is threaded and to'which one end of the respective branchpipe 80 issecuredby the union Bl. 'Withinvthe-extension 9|, there is a tubular bushing-93 which is threaded into and which mounts 'a hollow valve box in position within thecasing-section'fl. The valve box-S l ie constructed to haveone end overhang the free end of the valve :lever'88 and that one end is formed with a discharge port 95,see Fig. 7.

All air under pressure from the branch pipe to flows into the valve'box'94 anddischarges-into the interior of the regulatorvalve 82 through the discharge port 95. The valve lever 88in alignmcnt'with the discharge ;port95 is formed with a rubber disc 96 for closing the discharge port 95 when the lever is pivoted toward the valve box 94.

Pivoting of thevalve lever .88 toengage the rubber disc 96 with 'the-va-lveboxport 95..closing the same iscontrolled by au-shaped spring 81. The pivoted end of the valve lever 88 is formed with a hole .98 through which one arm of the U- shaped spring 91 is passed to be secured to'the wall of the casing section'84 by the pair of screws 99. see Fig. 8. The otherarm of the U -shaped springs! bears against the valve lever 88 on the side of the pivot pins 89 opposite the side on which the stud 81 of the diaphragm is located. Thus, the U-shaped spring 91 exerts a force tending to engage the rubber disc 96 with the port-95 of the valvebox'fll to cut off the 'flow of air under pressure from the source. The spring 91 exerts suflicient force to retain the valve lever 88 in its operative position against the maximum pressure exerted by the air under pressure from the source.

The casing section 83 is formed'with a tubular neck I00 which is extendedthrough a hole 10! formed in the front wall 12 of the box H. The ring N12 is threaded onto the outer end of the neck I00 and against the front face or the front wall lzmounting the air regulator valve in position. The outer end of the tubular neck I00 is closed by a cap 103 which is threaded in position. Threaded through the cap 103, there is a screw [04 provided at its outer end with an enlarged knurled knob I05 by which the screwcan be turned in one direction or the other. The inner end of the screw I04 bears against a slidable bearing block I06 which in turn bears against the adjacent end of a coil spring 101. The free inner end of the coil spring l0! bears-against the side of the diaphragm 86 opposite the side from which the stud 81 extends. The coil spring 181 then expends itself in flexing the diaphragm 86 inward causing the stud 81 to press on and pivot the valve lever 88 against the action of the U- shaped spring 91. That action unseats the rubber disc 96 from the discharge portion 55 of the valve box 94 and permits the air under pressure from the valve box to flow into-the interior of the regulator valve. Adjustment of the tension of the spring by turning the screw I704 will vary the degree to which the rubber disc 96 is unseated from the discharge port 975.

Extending from one sideof each of the regulator valves 82, there is a tubular extension I08 through which the air under pressure exits from the interior of the regulator valves 82. Unions I89 are used to connect the inner endsof laterally extended sections of pipe H0 to the extensions I08. The outer ends of the pipes H0 extend from the sides of the box H and have the ends of the tubes 33 connected thereto and it is those tubes 33 which have their other ends engaged in position on the nipples 32 of the valve units 26. Thus, the control unit 10 can be used for supplying air under pressure to two separate manometers 15 similar to the single one shown in Fig. 1.

As the air under pressure from the source inflates the pressure bag23 the point willibe reached where the pressure in the bag reaches the pressure for which the diaphragm 8.6 is adjusted. That pressure will then build up within theregulator valve82 and flex the diaphragm, against the action of the spring 181 in a direction away from the valve lever '88. The stud 81 will move with the. diaphragm '86 freeing the valvelever 88 to be pivoted by the 'U-shaped spring 91 to seat the rubber disc 96 on the discharge port 95 and stop the flow of air from the source. The free end of the valve lever 88 has secured thereto a springclip ill, see Figs. 8 and 10, which rides on the adjacent wall of "the casing section 84 guiding the movements of that free end of the valve lever.

Threaded into the rear wall of the casing section;84,there isa length of pipe I 12 which is connected at its other end to a pressure gauge I 13 by means of a union 4. There is a gauge H3 for each of the regulator valves-82 and those gauges-aremounted through the front wall 12 of the box H. Each of the gauges I I3-will record pressures in terms of millimeters of mercury. The gauges I 13 function to permit. adjustment of the regulator valves 82' to deliver only thedesired maximum air pressure to the pressure has 23 regardless of the higher pressure of the air in the source. The gauges H3 measure pressure in terms of millimeters of mercury and the valves 82 are preferably set to deliver 200 millimeters of pressure to the pressure bag 23.

The operation of the device for taking blood pressure is as follows:

If two blood pressures are to be taken at the same time, then two manometers l5 are connected to the control unit it. If only one blood pressure is to be taken, then only one manometer I5 is connected to one side of the control unit 10, as shown in Fig. 1, and the unused regulator valve 82 is shut off by turning the screw I04 completely outward. With the regulator valve 82 which is to be used previously adjusted to shut 01? when the pressure within the pressure bag 23 reaches 200 millimeters of mercury, the valve member is turned to the position shown in Figs. 1 and 3 so that air from the source will flow into the pressure bag 23 inflating the same with the armlet 24 wrapped in position about the patients arm. When the pressure in the bag 23 reaches 200 millimeters of mercury, the respective regulator valve 82 will function, as previously described, to shut off the supply of air from the source. The valve member 35 is then turned to the position in which its passageway 43 is aligned with the passageways 3B and 3'! completely shutting off the source of air under pressure and connecting the pressure bag 23 with the bulb 27 and the relief valve of the valve unit 26.

A stethoscope may be placed over the brachial artery while the pressure in the pressure bag is rising so that the sounds can be heard while the pressure is being built up so that the pressure from the source can be shut off using the handle 45 when the pressure builds up within the pressure bag to the point where it occludes arterial circulation. Arterial circulation will be stopped by the pressure within the armlet only in those cases where the patients blood pressure is below the level of the pressure for which the respective regulator valve 82 has been set. If pressures on the way up are not heard, the regulator valve 82 will function to shut off the flow of air under pressure from the source preventing the pressure within the armlet from building up to the point where it would be too uncomfortable for the patient.

In either case, with the stethoscope still in place over the brachial artery at the patients elbow, the sounds involved, as thepressure bag 23 is released by opening the relief valve by turning the valve pin 6'! outward, are heard and then disappear as the falling pressure in the armlet 24 indicates systolic and diastolic pressures. Generally, a starting pressure of 200 millimeters of mercury in the pressure bag 23 is adequate for the average pressure. At times, when the patients blood pressure is higher than 200 millimeters of mercury, a few squeezes on the bulb 2''! with the relief valve closed is sufficient to bring the pressure in the armlet 24 high enough to temporarily obliterate the arterial circulation below the armlet. Then, by the controlled release of the valve pin 61 of the relief valve, the systolic and diastolic pressures can be determined in the usual manner and read on the scale I9 of the manometer i5, by the respective appearance and disappearance of the indicative sounds, as the pulse beat is established in the arm below the armlet 24 and as the pressure .within the arm 10 becomes equal to the falling pressure in the armlet.

If desired, the regulator valves 82 can be set high enough to shut off at 260 or 300 millimeters of mercury, and so completely eliminate the need for using the bulb 21 even in those unusual instances when the patients blood pressure is over 200 millimeters of mercury.

After the blood pressure has been determined, the pressure within the pressure bag 23 is released by turning the valve pin 61 of the relief valve outward permitting substantially all of the air in the pressure bag 23 to flow out through the relief port 66 of the relief valve.

The present device for providing a smooth feed of air into the pressure bag 23 of the armlet Zt makes it possible to hear more accurately and easily the sounds from diastolic. to systolic pressures as the pressure in the armlet rises. As the pressure rises past the systolic pressure (as indicated in the measuring tube 20 of the manometer l5) the supply of air from the source of air under pressure can be quickly turned off by movement of the valve member 35 from the position shown in Figs. 1 and 3, while at the same time connecting the pressure bag with the hand compressible bulb 21. Thus, it is notnecessary to allow the pressure in the armlet to rise to the pressure at which the air regulator valve 82 will shut off the supply of air under pressure, since the patients blood pressure will in most instances be below that set at the valve. In such instances, the regulator valve 82 will be present as a safety factor to prevent excessive inflating of the pressure has and bursting of the seams of the armlet 24 where it encloses the pressure bag 23.

From the foregoing descriptionyit is apparent that the present invention proposes a novel blood pressure taking device having the following advantages:

1. It can be set to determine blood pressures without having to squeeze the hand bulb 21, eliminating the effort and work involved in using the bulb.

2. The device can be used as a combined mechanical and hand bulb air-feed, when it is desired to set the pressure at the regulator valves 82, at a level which is greater than the systolic pressure of most persons, but not as great as that of certain individuals with excessively high blood pressures, in which case the pressure in the armlet as may be boosted by one or more squeezes of the bulb 27. Also, the bulb 21 can be used to temporarily boost the pressure in the armlet 24, should one miss an accurate reading as the air pressure is being released from thecuff.

3. The device can be used in the conventional manner, as a hand-pressure apparatus, by disconnecting the tube 33 from the nipple 32 of the valve unit 26. This would be of use particularly in those situations Where for one reason or another, there was a failure in the source of air under pressure or when the manometer must be used in a locality where no air under pressure is available.

Thus, it is apparent, that the present invention provides a novel device for taking blood pressures which particularly adapts itself to use in hospitals, clinics, blood banks, armed services, induc tion centers and other similar place Where great number of blood pressures must be taken within a short space of time.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it isv to b understood that I do not limit myself to the pre- 11 else construction herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. A device for taking blood pressures comprising a manometer havin a measuring tube connected by a flexible tube to a pressure, bag of an armlet for engagement about a patients arm, a flexible inlet tube extending from said pressure bag, a valve unit mounted on the, free end of said inlet tube, a manually compressible bulb mounted on said valve unit, a hose connecting said valve uni t a. urce of air und r p sure, and a. c ntrol unit for controlling the fioW of air firom said source of air under pressure to said pressure bag through. said valve. unit said compr e bulb and said air pressure. source. eing con ected to said pre ur has o alternate y supply flu d h reto.

A device for taking blood. pressures comprisg a an meter havi a mea uring tube connected. by a flexible tube to. a pressure bee. oi armlet for engag m nt about a. patients arm, a fl xible inle t be exten ing irom. aid pressure s a valve unit. mountedon the, free end or said. inlet ube, a manually co pr ssible bul mounted on said valve. unit, a h se onne ing said valve uni o a source of air under pressure, and: a control unit for controlling the, flow of air from sai sourc of air under pressur to s d. pressure bag throu h said valve unit said compressible bulb and said air ressure source being connected to said pressure bag to alternately supply fluid thereto, and a gauge, for recording the pr ssure of the air in said source.

3. A device for taking, blood pressures. comprising a manometer having a measuring tube con,-

nected by a flexible tube, to a pressure bag of an armlet for. enc sement abou a patients. arm, flexible inlet tube extending from said; pressure bag, a valve unit mounted on the free end or said inlet tube, a manually compressible bulb mounted on said valve unit, a, hose connecting said valve unit to a source of air under pressure, and. a control unit. for controlling the flow of. air from said source of air under pressure. to said pressure bag through said valve, unit said compressible bulb. and

said air pressure source being connected. to said pressure a t alternately supply fluid thereto, said valve. unit. comprising a pair of valve house ings connected to one another, one oi said valve housings havin said inlet. tube. and said hose leading from said source Of. air under pressure connected there o, said. ulb being onn c ed to the, other f said valve housings.

4- A. device. for taking; blood pressures comprise ins a, manometer having a measuring tube com d. y a flexible tube to a. pressure. bag of an arml t for ngagement about. a. patientsv arm, a flexible inlet tube extending from said. pressure bag, a valve unit moun ed. on. the free end oisaid inlet tube, a ly compressible bulb mounted on said valve unit, a hose connecting, said val e unit to a source of air under pressure, and a control unit for controlling the flow of air from said source of air under pressure to said pressure bag through said valve unit, said valve unit comprising a pair of valve housings connected to one another, one of said valve housings having said inlet tube and said hose leading from said source of air nder pressure connected thereto said bulb being connected to the other of said val e ho 12 ings, the said one valve housing having a turnable valve member for connecting said pressure bag either with said source of air under pressure or with said bulb.

5. A device for taking blood pressures comprising a manometer having a measuring tube connected by a flexible tube to a pressure bag of an armlet for engagement about a patients arm, a flexible inlet tube extending from said pressure bag, a valve unit mounted on the free end of said inlet tube, a manually compressible bulb mounted on said valve unit, a hose connectin said valve unit to a source of air under pressure, and a control unit for controlling the flow of air from said source of air under pressure to said pressure bag through said valve unit, said valve unit comprising a pair of valve housings connected to one another, one of said valve housings having said inlet tube and said hose leading from said source of air under pressure connected thereto, said bulb being connected to the other of said valve housings, the said one valve housing having a turnable valve member for connecting said pressure bag either with said source of air under pressure or with said bulb, and a markeron said valve member for indicating the turned position thereof.

6. A device for taking blood pressures comprising a manometer having a measuring tube connected by a flexible tube to a pressure bag of an armletfor engagementabout a patients arm, a flexible inlet tube extending from said pressure bag, a valve unit. mounted on the free end of said inlet tube, a manuallycompressible bulb mountd on said v lve nit, a hose connecting said valve unitto asource of; air under pressure, and a con! trol unit for controlling the flowof air from said source of air under pressure. to said pressure has through said valve unit,v said valve unit comprisns a. pair 0f; valve 30 53 8 9 1 5 8 136 t0 .1 n other, ne of: sai lv h us ngs havin a d inlet ube. and, sa d hose leadingrom sa d. source r an: under pres ur connected. the d bulb being; onnected to the other of said valve housings, the said one valve housin having a turnable valve-member for connecting said pressure bag either with said source of air under pressure or with said bulb, and valve, discs in said other valve housing acting in opposition to one another for controlling the flow; or air under pressure from said bulb to said pressure bag.

7. A device for taking blood pressures comprising a manomet r havin a m ri g. b nccted by a exib e. ube to pr sure bee of an armlet for engagement about a patients arm, a

flexible inlet. tube extending from said pressure baav a valve unitmounte on h f ee nd o said inlet. tube, a manually compr s ibl b l mou ted on said valve. unih a hose. connect ng. aid valve unit. to a sourceo a r under pressure a d a ontrol unit. for controlling the, flow of air from said source of air under re e to. aid pressur bag through. said valve uni s id, alve ni m r mg, a. p ir o valve hous n s c nnected o ne an.- other, onev of said. al e h usings ha ing sa d in et tube and s id h se lea in ro a d source o air under pre sure conn cte thereto, saiq bu b bein connected to the other oi said valve housings, the said one valve housing having a turnable valve member for connecting said pressure bag either with said source of air under pressure or with said bulb, and valve discs in said other valve housing acting in opposition to one another for controlling the flow of air under pressure from said b l o said p e re bee, sod eli f valve on said other valvehousingbetween said valve 13 discs and the said first valve housing forbleeding a part or all of said air under pressure from said pressure bag.

8. A device for taking blood pressures comprising a manometer having a measuring tube connected by a flexible tube to a pressure bag of an armlet for engagement about a patients arm, a flexible inlet tube extending from said pressure bag, a valve unit mounted on the free end of said inlet tube a manually compressible bulb mounted on said valve unit, a hose connecting said valve unit to a source of air under pressure, and a control unit for controlling the flow of air from said source of air under pressure to said pressure bag through said valve unit said compressible bulb and said air pressure source being connected to said pressure bag to alternately supply fluid thereto, said control unit including an air regulator valve for shutting off the supply of air under pressure when the pressure within said pressure bag reaches a certain predetermined pressure.

9. A device for taking blood pressures comprising a manometer having a measuring tube connected by a flexible tube to a pressure bag of an armlet for engagement about a patients arm, a flexible inlet tube extending from said pressure bag, a valve unit mounted on the free end of said inlet tube a manually compressible bulb mounted on said valve unit, a hose connecting said valve unit to a source of air under pressure. and a control unit for controlling the flow of air from said source of air under pressure to said pressure bag through said valve unit said compressible bulb and said air pressure source being connected to said pressure bag to alternately supply fluid thereto, said control unit includin an air regulator valve for shutting off the supply of air under pressure when the pressure within said pressure bag reaches a certain predetermined pressure, said regulator valve being manually adjustable for 14 shutting off the supply of air at diflerent pressures within said pressure bag.

10. A device for taking blood pressures comprising a manometer having a measuring tube connected by a flexible tube to a pressure bag of an armlet for engagement about a patients arm, a flexible inlet tube extending from said pressure bag, a valve unit mounted on the free end of said inlet tube a manually compressible bulb mounted on said valve unit, a hose connecting said valve unit to a source of air under pressure, and a control unit for controlling the flow of air from said source of air under pressure to said pressure bag through said valve unit said compressible bulb and said air pressure source being connected to said pressure bag to alternately supply fluid thereto, said control unit including an air regulator valve for shutting off the supply of air under pressure when the pressure within said pressure bag reaches a certain predetermined pressure, said regulator valve being manually adjustable for shutting off the supply of air at difierent pressures within said pressure bag, and a gauge for indicat-- ing the pressure at which said regulator valve shuts off the supply of air under pressure.

CHARLES EPSTEIN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,433,679 Fisk Oct. 31, 1922 1,594,039 Baum July 27, 1926 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 390,407 France July 28, 1908 

